The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-11

Graduation of Kinderg arten Teachers.
"More Light" the motto of the pro-
gramme of the fifth annual commencement of
the Indiana Kindergarten and Primary Normal
School, which occurred at Tabernacle Church
last night. The exercises of the evening demon
strated that the school is doing much to en-
tighten the younger generation, and the motto,
therefore, was we'll chosen. There were few
vacant seats in the church when the exercises
began. The decorations we're profuse and
ranged with taste The fifteen young lady grad
yates, dressed in white. occupied seats behind
the pulpit stand, with Mrs Eliza A Blaker, the
principal Of the school. Judge William A.
Woods presided, and, after prayer by Rev.
DR.. Reuben Jeffrey and music, he intro
duced Col. Francis NJ Parker, the speaker of
the evening
Colonel Parker had for his theme 'The Edu-
cation of Frebel." He spoke for over hour
and his address throughout was full of interest
He said that teacher he had eagerly scanned
the educational horizon for years in search of
some great principle or living truth that applied
to education He believed some new plan was
necessary to perpetuate the Nation and keep it
in it's place in the worlds progress. If he
not mistaken, he had found what be was search
ing for in the kindergarten. He desired to dis
cuss the Kindergarten along with, definition of
of Gods design in the human being. All growth
is by law. and all life means growth. ALI forms
of life present an origin for growth. There is
bat one right system of growth, and that is fol
lowing the law of God. The plant determines in
itself the external conditions of air, moisture,
suns hine, etc. for growth. These conditions
proper external conditions are met, the desired
Character is worked out. The organism of the
newborn child determines the external condi-
tious that must be presented for its growth. If
these conditions are met the natural growth
follows If the law o. growth acts it makes ths
conditions for higher law. The teacher and
mother must prescribe the condition fora
child's growth. The human being must be
known. Who knows the human mind? He who
made it. Still it is the work of man to study
these laws. All character is made up of habits.
In the kindergarten the early education is the
development of right habits. Every bit of edu-
cation that does not go with the formation of
born. Laziness is a cultivated habit, and a
great many other things in children that
charged to Unborn depravisy are. the
divine tendency in the child to act
Play is Gods method of beginning work. Man
is a truth seeker. All growth and progress
finding the living truth, and applying it. So
the child at the start should have fundamental
law for finding the truth, and applying it. There
are those who say music should not be taught
in the public schools. 1t is the noblest study.
Sad is the child that has not heard the lullaby
song in the cradle. The mistake in common
school educaLlOn Is III nOL recognizing the QlFlD0
in the human being. The mother should be the
child's will until it has reason. When child
has reason to choose right, it should
not be robbed of that right Children
are often made helpless by not allowing
them to choose for themselves when their reason
has developed. The will must be cultivated
it becomes helpless. The most Objectionable
feature of the common. school system is the
giving of presents and offering prizes. Under
this system the children bought from the
time they begin to think. They grow ND ready
to be purchased, and when they step out in the
world what are they? Ninety per cent must be
obtained or the child can't be promoted. l
would never cult vate ambition in a child. except
the ambition to do better to-day than yesterday.
You will say our greatest men have made them
selves bv ambition. That is what is the matter
with our country to-day. The system cultivates
selhshness It always will as long you
take the little child and buy him.
The kindergarten fundamentally means that
Won must present the right conditions for growth,
and the possibilities will be worked out. Sing
to a child, and it will sing through life Teach
children to work and they will work through
life. Make it helpless. and it is left without
power to work out its own salvation
Frequently during Colonel Parker's remarks
he was applauded at the close Rev n a.
Hyde presented the diplomas to the following
graduates in a short and appropriate speech
Primary Departm ent-M Miss Emma Farnsworth Miss
Emma Cooper, Miss Eleanor D. Kirby, Miss Ellen
Stol and Miss Agnes Young.
Kindergarten Department-Miss Floy B. Burlegh,
Miss Lavalette Davidson, Miss Lille I. Halpn. Miss